Long Island and Hog Cay (19825)
Bahamas, Caribbean
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, A1e, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2019
National site name: Long Island and Hog Cay
Central coordinates: Latitude: 23.5952, Longitude: -75.2795
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 7
Area of KBA (km2): 810.11237
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Long Island is about eighty miles long and maximum four miles wide. It lies northwest to southeast. Points of interest include; the historic Columbus Monument, the Long Island Museum, Hamilton's Cave, Dean's Blue hole and Clarence Town harbour. The entrance to Cape Santa Maria Resort is located on Galliott Cay approximately 8 miles south of this point is the Stella Maris Resort. Hog Cay is a privately owned island on the leeward side of northern Long Island. The owner has consistently provided daily feedings for the large flock of West Indian Whistling Ducks which roost on this cay at night.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. KBA identified in the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the Caribbean Islands Hotspot (2019). Taxonomy, nomenclature and threat category follow the 2017 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: The above area has one of the largest flocks of the endangered West Indian Whistling Ducks in the world, estimated to be approximately 450 birds. Common resident birds include; Bahamas Mockingbird, Northern Mockingbird, Common Ground Dove, Thick-billed Vireo and Greater Antillean Bullfinch, White-crowned Pigeon, Mourning Doves, Black-faced Grassquit, Bananaquit, Bahama Pintail,Blue-winged Teal Ducks plus several species of herons, egrets, sandpipers, plovers, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs. In summer Sandwich and Roseate Terns are present on Hog and Galliott Cays. Gray Kingbirds and Greater Antillean Nighthawks are common summer birds.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Long Island is made up of varied habitats; shrubland, coppice, freshwater/saltwater wetlands, mangroves swamps and tidal flats. Wetlands are scattered throughout the interior of the island and roadside ponds occur frequently. Fishing and farming are the main occupations. The land is utilized for residential, agriculture and hunting purposes.
Land use: agriculture | not utilised | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Intertidal | 20 | |
| Marine Neritic | 20 | |
| Shrubland | 20 | |
| Forest | 20 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 20 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Illegal hunting, feral cats, wild goats and pigs are common. Destruction of habitat due to urban development.
Additional information
References: White, A.W. 1998b. A Birder's Guide to the Bahama Islands (Including Turks and Caicos). American Birding Association. Colorado Springs, CO. 302pp.